Campaign highlights dangers of smoking

A scene from the new advert by Fresh Smokefree North East.

A new hard-hitting campaign for ths north east is highlight the risks of smoking.

Statistics show that one in two long-term smokers will die early, leading Fresh to launch its new ‘Don’t be the 1’ campaign.

A survey of north east smokers by Fresh found nine out of ten smokers underestimate their risks of dying of a smoking-related illness, with some thinking only one in 20 will die as a result.

Now a TV advert showing the impact of smoking on families will encourage people to click on www.DontBeThe1.tv for support to quit and to order a free ‘Quit Kit’ online.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “It is a shocking message but smoking tobacco is much more harmful than most people think. These are odds nobody would want.

“Quitting might not always be easy – but dying from a smoking-related disease is much, much harder. Quitting lowers your risk of dying early at any age, but the sooner you quit, the better.”

She added: “We have taken the decision with our new campaign to show the reality of what smoking brings to many families across our region in the hope that many more people will quit.”

Marietta Evans, director of public health for North Tyneside Council, said: “It is never too late to stop.

“Some people, particularly when they are older or have been smoking for a number of years, think there is no point in stopping, but evidence shows that your risk of developing a smoking related disease reduces significantly the longer you remain stopped.”

For support in quitting smoking, contact the Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0300 123 9290.